Viroid diseases are responsible for significant losses of food and fiber. Dr. Owens pioneered technology for sensitive detection of viroids. His research further obtained fundamental knowledge about the molecular interactions between viroids and their host, providing key advances toward the control of viroid diseases, and toward test viroid-induced dwarfing strategies to increase citrus production efficiency.

Dr. Ueng's research was dedicated to improving molecular technologies for Identification and classification of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) pathogens Phaeosphaeria nodorum and P. avenaria, which cause Stagonospora leaf and glume blotch diseases. In addition, his research facilitated the development of disease control strategies is being facilitated through the study of disease resistance markers in wheat and virulence factors in P. nodorum.